Yet there are still pending criminal trials against Watson. That’s the definition of passing the hot potato back to Goodell.
Civil trialsYet there are still pending criminal trials against Watson. That’s the definition of passing the hot potato back to Goodell.
Oh, well then everything is okay!
You’re right. Sheesh, I thought he still had criminal trials pending along with the civil suits.Civil trials
He's doing what he always does. Get this leak out there, and stick his finger in the air to see what's what. He will add more if there is widespread outrage. If it's relatively quiet, he will go with this. And it was totally planned up front to go down this way.Why are we sure that Goodell won't add games to the suspension in this case?
We aren’t. But now Watson and the NFLPA have grounds to push back on since an independent ruling has been made at 6 games.Why are we sure that Goodell won't add games to the suspension in this case?
I didn't see this Jeff Howe article in a brief search of this thread.We aren’t. But now Watson and the NFLPA have grounds to push back on since an independent ruling has been made at 6 games.
I think if Goodell raises the number of games, there could be an appeal and this could be drawn out longer.The NFL Players Association and Deshaun Watson said they will accept the decision and potential punishment regarding the quarterback violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, according to a joint statement issued Sunday night.
This is also the first thing that came to mind when I read of this penalty.2 more games than maybe/possibly/not likely arranging for the miniscule deflation of a few footballs. Sounds right.
I have. And this latest development makes it likely I won't even watch the super bowl.This is also the first thing that came to mind when I read of this penalty.
We're all essentially in an abusive relationship with the NFL. For all its appalling aspects, we just can't quit it.
An arbitrator that heard what the NFL wanted them to hear.I agree 6 is not sufficient (and I've expressed my feelings on Watson previously) but this is coming from a neutral arbitrator and former federal judge - this isn't the NFL coming up with this number. Roger can now impose whatever he wants on appeal if the NFL decides to appeal now that Judge Robinson found a violation.
I think you might be overestimating. It will go over badly but will likely quickly pass.Maybe I’m overestimating how much the public cares, but I think this ruling is going to go over badly.
I have. And this latest development makes it likely I won't even watch the super bowl.
Hell I don't even know who won the last two. Stopped watching when they were cracking down on players kneeling.
Who isn’t projecting winning records for both the Chargers and Patriots?You’re right. Sheesh, I thought he still had criminal trials pending along with the civil suits.
Also, here’s a look at Cleveland’s schedule while Watson is out.
View: https://twitter.com/sharpfootball/status/1554090727973462016?s=21&t=QFfxcXOsz8d4pp2z41xkzQ
I’m not sure how much push those grounds give them, though, should Goodell increase the number of games. Or on whom to where.We aren’t. But now Watson and the NFLPA have grounds to push back on since an independent ruling has been made at 6 games.
Aren't they hosting the Patriots?Who isn’t projecting winning records for both the Chargers and Patriots?
In those first six games, I’m seeing three easy games (CAR, @NYJ, ATL), two tough ones (@LAC, @NE)
Aren't they hosting the Patriots?
Holy shit, I completely reversed the home and road games. Who prints a schedule with home games in white and road games in orange, instead of the other way around?I agree that the 6 games is awful, bad precedent, looks bad for the NFL, etc etc...
But I'm much more outraged by the criminal justice system whose actual job it is to punish him for his crimes than the NFL which is in the business of football & entertainment.
That should be fun to enforce.Good news for the Cleveland medical staff!
View: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1554081759540682758
"Judge Sue L. Robinson’s decision also says Deshaun Watson must get all his massage therapy from club therapists, per source."
I agree with this but this particular situation has me really contemplating where my line is. I’m fairly certain I’d be out in the Pats if Watson was the QB. Im also fairly sure I’d be out on the Pats if they traded for Hill and gave him millions of guaranteed dollars. But I can’t quite bring myself to completely quit the product.This is also the first thing that came to mind when I read of this penalty.
We're all essentially in an abusive relationship with the NFL. For all its appalling aspects, we just can't quit it.
Always kind of felt this way. The dude should be in a penitentiary but if the legal system isn’t convicting him this NFL kangaroo court stuff is weird. Them policing both league matters (deflategate) and criminal matters leads to some (as we see above) comparisons that don’t make any sense..
But I'm much more outraged by the criminal justice system whose actual job it is to punish him for his crimes than the NFL which is in the business of football & entertainment.
What the actual fuck! He such a scumbag that he can’t be trusted around massage therapists but it’s ok for him to play in the league again after his sits out 6 games. Amazing.Good news for the Cleveland medical staff!
View: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1554081759540682758
"Judge Sue L. Robinson’s decision also says Deshaun Watson must get all his massage therapy from club therapists, per source."
I think most everyone who feels like Watson should not be playing feels this way.Always kind of felt this way. The dude should be in a penitentiary but if the legal system isn’t convicting him this NFL kangaroo court stuff is weird. Them policing both league matters (deflategate) and criminal matters leads to some (as we see above) comparisons that don’t make any sense.
It again reinforces the idea that you either buy that he sexually assaulted over 20 women or you don’t.What the actual fuck! He such a scumbag that he can’t be trusted around massage therapists but it’s ok for him to play in the league again after his sits out 6 games. Amazing.
While I agree completely that it's shameful in 2022 that behavior like this consistently goes unpunished in our society, I disagree with your conclusions. The NFL isn't bound by reasonable doubt and case law and shit like that. They could take a hard stance and have a track record of winning in court with whatever punishments they hand out. They just don't fucking care to do it.I agree that the 6 games is awful, bad precedent, looks bad for the NFL, etc etc...
But I'm much more outraged by the criminal justice system whose actual job it is to punish him for his crimes than the NFL which is in the business of football & entertainment.
What are my conclusions?While I agree completely that it's shameful in 2022 that behavior like this consistently goes unpunished in our society, I disagree with your conclusions. The NFL isn't bound by reasonable doubt and case law and shit like that. They could take a hard stance and have a track record of winning in court with whatever punishments they hand out. They just don't fucking care to do it.
What is the likelihood the NFL would have won in court though had they overruled the independent arbiter which inevitably would have resulted in Watson camp suing? Wouldn't the courts give an independent arbiter deferential treatment over the league especially when there are no criminal charges and only one civil case left pending? I agree they largely don't care but they also were likely going to lose so that has to factor into the equation somewhere.While I agree completely that it's shameful in 2022 that behavior like this consistently goes unpunished in our society, I disagree with your conclusions. The NFL isn't bound by reasonable doubt and case law and shit like that. They could take a hard stance and have a track record of winning in court with whatever punishments they hand out. They just don't fucking care to do it.
Yeah that sounded wrong, sorry. You're more outraged by the criminal justice system than the NFL. That's what I meant.What are my conclusions?
Yeah, sorry, I was just generally curious because I didn't think I had really made any conclusions lol.Yeah that sounded wrong, sorry. You're more outraged by the criminal justice system than the NFL. That's what I meant.
I think that the NFL had more latitude under article 46 to drop a bigger hammer and therefore should have. Maybe they lose in court eventually, but who cares. They're took the chicken way out, and 6 games is an embarrassment.
I probably shouldn't expect the league or the prosecutors in this country to treat these crimes seriously since pretty much nobody in power does.
I believe Goodell still has final say on punishment according to the CBA.What is the likelihood the NFL would have won in court though had they overruled the independent arbiter which inevitably would have resulted in Watson camp suing? Wouldn't the courts give an independent arbiter deferential treatment over the league especially when there are no criminal charges and only one civil case left pending? I agree they largely don't care but they also were likely going to lose so that has to factor into the equation somewhere.
Let's not forget the NFL only bothered to put forth evidence about 5 of the victims and one of those "cases" was nothing but media reports that the judge disregarded. This isn't a case where the victims could drive the charge. This is the NFL guiding where they want it to go.. In advance of Robinson’s decision, the union called the new process impartial and legitimate while imploring the N.F.L. not to ask Goodell or his designee to override her ruling on an appeal. The C.B.A. affords Goodell the final word.
What this means is that Watson’s future will first rest in the hands of an arbitrator. After that, if it’s found that a violation of the personal conduct policy occurred, his punishment will ultimately rest in the hands of the NFL and Goodell.
- If the NFL determines no personal conduct policy violation occurred, he faces no discipline and moves on.
- If the independent arbitrator determines no personal conduct policy violation occurred, Watson faces no punishment and moves on. Per the CBA, the NFL cannot appeal this decision from the arbitrator.
- If the independent arbitrator determines a personal conduct violation occurred, the arbitrator can ultimately determine the punishment for the infraction. If the NFL disagrees with the punishment, the league can appeal it to Goodell, who ultimately has a significant measure of power over the process once it’s agreed that a violation took place.
The optics of this are terrible, but this arguably has more to do with protecting the league than anything. Even if he were to violate no laws, the act of him getting a private massage at this point can still be viewed as a risk. Still, it's disgusting that this is where we are.What the actual fuck! He such a scumbag that he can’t be trusted around massage therapists but it’s ok for him to play in the league again after his sits out 6 games. Amazing.
I think it would be the same sort of lawsuit as in #deflategate where they would be challenging Goodell’s final arbiter on discipline, and the precedent there is that if he’s made such under the CBA, he can do whatever he wants. Not sure why the NFLPA bothered bargaining for an independent arbiter if that other thing got left in place, but maybe I’m missing something in the new CBA.What is the likelihood the NFL would have won in court though had they overruled the independent arbiter which inevitably would have resulted in Watson camp suing? Wouldn't the courts give an independent arbiter deferential treatment over the league especially when there are no criminal charges and only one civil case left pending? I agree they largely don't care but they also were likely going to lose so that has to factor into the equation somewhere.
This hurts my brain.I think it would be the same sort of lawsuit as in #deflategate where they would be challenging Goodell’s final arbiter on discipline, and the precedent there is that if he’s made such under the CBA, he can do whatever he wants. Not sure why the NFLPA bothered bargaining for an independent arbiter if that other thing got left in place, but maybe I’m missing something in the new CBA.
That said, the NFL hasn’t said if they are appealing to Goodell yet, I don’t believe.